Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov Settle Proper No. Twelve Whiskey Lawsuit What We Know

Conor McGregor and former UFC teammate Artem Lobov settled a multi-million euro High Court lawsuit in Dublin on April 15, 2026 — just as the trial was set to begin. Lobov had claimed McGregor owed him 5% of the $600 million sale of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, based on an alleged 2017 handshake deal. The settlement terms were not disclosed. This is not a consumer class action. No public claims exist.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Case Type	Private civil lawsuit (breach of oral contract) — not a consumer class action
Court	Ireland’s High Court, Dublin
Presiding Judge	Mr. Justice John Jordan
Plaintiff	Artem Lobov
Defendant	Conor McGregor
What Lobov Claimed	5% of proceeds from the $600M sale of Proper No. Twelve
Amount at Stake	Estimated up to $30 million (5% of McGregor’s ~$130M+ share)
Settlement Date	April 15, 2026
Settlement Terms	Undisclosed
Settlement Status	Confirmed — case closed
Consumer Claims Open	No
Case Originally Filed	November 2022

Current Status & What Happens Next

• April 15, 2026: Both sides confirmed settlement in open court just before the eight-day trial was set to begin. Judge Jordan complimented both parties for reaching an agreement rather than consuming court time.
• Terms sealed: The financial details of the settlement remain private. Neither McGregor nor Lobov disclosed a figure publicly.
• Case closed: No further hearings are scheduled. The lawsuit is fully resolved.

What Was the Lobov vs. McGregor Lawsuit About?

Artem Lobov alleged there had been an agreement between the men that he would get 5% of the proceeds of the sale of the brand. He claimed they made an oral agreement to that effect in a gym in Dublin in October 2017. Lobov claimed the agreement was sealed with a handshake and witnessed by three others. He claimed that he was the initial creator and co-founder of Proper No. Twelve but was later “muscled out.”

According to Lobov, McGregor wanted to start an Icelandic vodka brand and came to Lobov for advice because he had a master’s degree in finance. Lobov says he encouraged McGregor to instead pursue an Irish whiskey brand, and McGregor asked him to put together a deal and come back to him.

McGregor, along with his business partners, eventually sold Proper No. 12 to Proximo Spirits — the same company that owns Jose Cuervo tequila — for $600 million in 2021. As a result, McGregor reportedly earned over $100 million for his part of the sale. Lobov argued he was entitled to a share of that windfall and received nothing.

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McGregor’s Defense: No Deal Was Ever Made

McGregor flatly denied that any binding agreement existed. Mr. McGregor admitted that he later offered Mr. Lobov $1 million in recognition of work done to develop a whiskey brand, but denied there was an agreement over the proceeds.

McGregor’s spokesperson Karen J. Kessler issued a statement saying: “Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey was created, developed, branded and tirelessly promoted by Conor McGregor. Any suggestion that the plaintiff has a claim to Proper No. Twelve is incorrect.”

A key piece of evidence cut against Lobov during early proceedings. One text message from Lobov to McGregor states in black and white: “I swear on my child’s life I will NOT take a cent out of the whiskey deal!!! That is something I enjoyed doing and the thought of knowing that I helped you with something keeps me warm on the coldest of nights.” Lobov’s team countered that this message did not extinguish the earlier oral agreement.

How the Settlement Happened on the Day of Trial

The case was scheduled to begin in the High Court and was expected to last around eight days. However, shortly before proceedings were set to get underway, the court was informed that both parties had reached a settlement.

Lobov’s senior counsel, Andrew Walker, confirmed the matter had been resolved. A brief statement was also read on behalf of McGregor by his legal representative, Mark Lynam.

In it, McGregor said he was satisfied the matter had been resolved and he could focus on his training for “this summer’s fight.” He said he wanted to thank Artem for his hard work for McGregor’s whiskey business. Lobov did not want to speak to the media afterwards but said he was “happy with the resolution” and repeated that he was “all happy” as he put his thumbs up.

How Much Did Lobov Claim — and What Could He Have Won?

Lobov sought 5% of McGregor’s share of the $600 million Proper No. Twelve sale. McGregor sold his stake in Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits in 2021, reportedly for more than $130 million.

Lobov is believed to have been hoping to get up to $30 million from his lawsuit — the same 5% he sought in prior proceedings. McGregor had previously offered Lobov $1 million, which Lobov rejected.

The actual settlement figure stays private. Both sides agreed to confidentiality as part of the resolution — a standard feature of commercial settlements in Irish High Court proceedings.

The Friendship Behind the Lawsuit

The legal battle carried added weight because of how close the two men once were. McGregor and Lobov trained together for years at SBG Ireland, and McGregor was Lobov’s coach on The Ultimate Fighter, assisting in getting Lobov a UFC contract.

The most infamous example of their loyalty was McGregor flying to Las Vegas after Khabib Nurmagomedov cornered and slapped Lobov, which led to the infamous Brooklyn bus incident. McGregor and his team boarded a plane from Ireland and attacked a bus carrying Khabib’s team at the Barclays Center, resulting in McGregor’s arrest and a significant fine.

That bond ultimately fractured once the lawsuit was filed. The settlement closes what had been one of Irish sport’s most public friendship breakdowns.

What Happens to McGregor and Lobov Now?

McGregor is preparing for his planned comeback to the UFC for his first fight in five years after suffering a broken leg in his previous outing back in 2021. His statement in court confirmed a fight is planned for “this summer.”

The Proper No. Twelve brand itself also has broader legal context. The brand has also been in the spotlight since Proximo cut ties with McGregor after a High Court jury found that he assaulted Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

Lobov, for his part, indicated satisfaction with the outcome. With the High Court case now closed, both men move forward without a public judgment defining who was right — a common outcome when two sides decide the cost of a full trial outweighs the certainty of a verdict.

Important Dates & Timeline

Milestone	Date
McGregor and Lobov alleged oral agreement (Dublin gym)	October 2017
Proper No. Twelve launched	September 2018
Proper No. Twelve sold to Proximo Spirits for $600M	April 2021
Lobov publicly claims credit for Proper No. Twelve concept	August 2022
Lobov files lawsuit in Ireland’s High Court	November 2022
McGregor legally cleared to call Lobov a “rat” (defamation case dismissed)	December 2022
Trial scheduled to begin (8 days, Dublin High Court)	April 15, 2026
Settlement announced in open court	April 15, 2026
Settlement terms disclosed publicly	Never — terms remain sealed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim or get money from this settlement? 

No. This is a private lawsuit between two individuals — Artem Lobov and Conor McGregor. It is not a consumer class action and no public settlement fund exists. Everyday consumers have no claim to file and will receive nothing from this resolution.

Do I need a lawyer to get involved in this case?

 There is no way for the public to participate in this case. It is fully resolved between the two parties. If you have a similar dispute involving an unwritten business agreement, you should consult a qualified attorney about your own situation.

Is this settlement legitimate? 

Yes. Both parties confirmed the settlement before Judge John Jordan at Ireland’s High Court on April 15, 2026. Settlement announcements in open court are part of the formal court record, even when the specific financial terms remain private.

When will Lobov receive his settlement payment? 

The timing of any payment is unknown because the terms of the settlement — including the amount, if any, and payment schedule — were not disclosed in court.

What if I missed a claim deadline? 

There is no claim deadline because this is not a class action. No member of the public had the ability to file a claim at any stage of this dispute.

Will this settlement payment affect anyone’s taxes?

 Tax implications in this case apply only to the two parties involved, not to the public. If you received a settlement in a similar business dispute, consult a tax professional about how that payment may be treated under applicable law.

What is an oral contract, and is it legally enforceable?

 An oral contract is a verbal agreement between two parties without a written document. Under Irish and most common law systems, oral contracts can be legally binding if you can prove offer, acceptance, and consideration. Lobov’s case hinged on proving McGregor made a specific promise — witnessed by three others — in a Dublin gym in 2017. The case settled before a judge ruled on whether that agreement met the legal standard.

Why did the case settle on the day of trial?

 Last-minute settlements are common in high-stakes civil litigation. Once both sides see the final evidence lineup, witness lists, and risk of a public verdict, one or both parties often conclude that a private compromise is preferable to leaving the outcome to a judge or jury.

Last Updated: April 16, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.